Shared Lessons
Group Obstacles
Hi, all. I have been enjoying all the discussions going on lately. I have some questions about groups. So far I have taught only privates (with the exception of a sibling pair). In the future, I would like to broaden my studio to group lessons…
Excelling student joins shared lesson
I’m a new teacher, so your experience would be very helpful. I have a new 16-year-old girl who worked quickly to catch up to her two friends so that she could join their shared lesson. I gave her private lessons and I believe she truly…
Room Set Up for Groups
I was wondering how you all set up your groups of 5 or more. I have the chairs arranged in a horse shoe shape. Do you have the moms sitting next to their child of do you separate the kids from the parents? I was…
Optimal Group Size
I was wondering what you consider the optimal size for group lessons. Having lots of kids will probably require more time because they will all want to play their pieces, which is understandable. I find in my first group of little kids, I really have…
Large Group at the Keyboard
I finally started teaching the continuing education workshop just last night. 14 had signed up, 11 showed up, and at least 1 of the absent people is fairly certain to join in starting next week. So I’ve got a much bigger group than what I’m…
Putting Hands Together in a Group Context
I am a new teacher. I teach a small group of 5. Today we put Dreams hands together. I felt that I needed at least 2-3 minutes individual time with each student to help “control the events” on the piano as they put it together.…
Bringing Hands Together (Shared vs. Private)
When you have students unfold the patterns on their (printed) keyboards, do you also have them put both hands together first on their keyboard? I have tried this but found that I can’t watch them all and so don’t know if they are doing it…
Managing Behavior
During my first day of classes yesterday, one six and a half year old girl refused to participate. She cried, lay on the floor, and was quietly disagreeable! During the lesson, I was so busy working with six other young children that I let Annika…
Just a Typical Teenager?
I just finished a lesson. It was traumatic! While it’s soooo fresh in my mind: I have a mum and her 2 daughters – 14 and 10.They all started as a group of 3 a year ago – the 14 year was leaving the others…
Controlling Shared Lessons
I’ve started teaching groups of 3 and 4 lately and I’m enjoying it for the most part. One group of 4 however always seems to be out of control. The parents are helpful in keeping them in control, but I feel like I’m often telling…